ACCOUNTABILITY –

“Performance, productivity, and accountability”. These are the keys to a successful business.

        A good leader retains overall control, whilst ensuring that each employee is made accountable for obtaining specific objectives.         The lack of accountability can be a major problem in many businesses today.         Standards seem to have dropped in many organizations – perhaps it is a lack of training.

        Too many people duck for cover after making mistakes, or when things go wrong.

        Leaders must define clearly what they mean by accountability.  It’s their job to explain the responsibilities for meeting the requirements of the tasks set and how results will be measured.   

        Accountability relies on sound delegation and cannot exist without good accounting practices.

A handful of tips on ways to make people accountable for their work

* Define the areas of responsibility

        How will it measure?

        Who will be responsible for what?

        Set an agreed time for action and a completion time.

*  Who’s is responsible for what?

        State the areas people will be responsible for and put it in writing

        There must be no misunderstandings.

        Discuss the situation,  areas of responsibility and answer questions.

        Make sure your people fully accept responsibilities for the tasks delegated to them.

* Good communication is vital

        All employees must know who will be accountable for the outcome of each operation. 

* Avoid overlapping

        Encourage people with shared tasks to form effective partnerships.

        To avoid confusion break down tasks into specific parts and name each person responsible for each part.

* Build a culture for success

        Reward successes and praise good work.         Never carry out a witch-hunt when things go wrong. Use it as a positive learning experience.  We learn best by our mistakes.

        Keep searching for ways to improve and ways to do things better.

-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“Accountability is the glue that binds commitment to results.”

Source, “Secrets for New Managers”. A collection of guidelines and helpful advice, First published by  Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand, and Cengage Learning, Asia. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com and VitalSource.